1942 - 1947 Chevrolet Shop Manual



	3-18

	Changing caster with the use of correcting tools is an operation of leveling the spring seats in those cases when the use of caster shims is not advisable. Figure 40 shows the proper installation of the tools for decreasing the caster on the right side or for increasing caster on the left side. To increase caster on the right side or to decrease caster on the left side, connect the toggle link to the lower part of the jack on the right hand side of the jack. In other words, the tool installation will be made as shown to either increase or decrease caster, the setup being made at the front of the I-beam to decrease and at rear of the I-beam to increase caster. As there is a certain amount of "spring" in the I-beam, the valve on the jack should be released before checking the correction with the caster gauge. RELATION BETWEEN CAMBER AND KING-PIN INCLINATION From the definitions of Kingpin Inclination and Camber—one being the inward tilt of the kingpins and the other the outward tilt of the wheels—it is evident that one can not be corrected with the use of correcting tools without changing the other. For this reason these two factors of front end alignment must be considered together. CAMBER AND KINGPIN INCLINATION CORRECTION The ONLY instance in which a camber correction may be made at the I-beam, is where BOTH camber and kingpin inclination are off by	If a check shows that the camber is out but the kingpin inclination is all right, it indicates a bent wheel spindle which will have to be replaced. STRAIGHTENING FRONT AXLE "I" BEAM When it is necessary to straighten the front axle "I" beam out of the truck the gauge illustrated in Fig. 42, should be used. The gauge consists of two pins that fit in the kingpin holes. These pins are tapered so that they properly fit and center in the axle. The first operation in straightening "I" beams, is to properly level the spring seats either on an arbor press or with a bending bar. Assemble the kingpin pins into the holes in the end of the beam. Place a cord on each pin and slide a square on the spring seat until it touches the cord. Check from the square to center of the spring tie bolt hole. When the axle is in proper alignment the kingpin

		Fig. 42—Front Axle "I" Beam Gauge holes and the hole for the spring tie bolt holes in the spring seats, are all in line. Place the gauge on the spring seats and check the angle of the pins against the face of the gauge. When the kingpin angle is correct, the pins will be parallel with the face of the gauge. CAUTION-Do not heat Chevrolet front axle "I" beams to straighten. Straighten them cold-heating will change the metal strength. HOW TO REMOVE FRONT WHEELS Lift the wheel from the ground with a jack under the front axle "I" beam. Remove hub cap, and hub grease cap. Pull out cotter pin locking the spindle nut. Remove the spindle nut and spindle washer. Remove front wheel. The outer cone and balls and the inner cone are loose and may be easily removed. The inner balls may be removed by prying out the inner bearing felt retainer. If this is done, a new felt retainer assembly should be used when reassembling, The ball cups are pressed into the hubs and can be

	Pig. 41—Correcting Camber and Kingpin Inclination the SAME amount. Then a correction at the I-beam will take care of both conditions at the same time. Figure 41 shows the installation of the correcting tools for this operation. If a check shows that both camber and kingpin inclination are out, but NOT by the same amount, it means not only that the wheel spindle is bent and will have to be replaced, but also that a correction will have to be made at the I-beam to correct the kingpin inclination. The same thing is true if the camber is all right and the kingpin inclination is out.